Author's Note: Good morning everyone.

I just had a hell of a conversation with my mom and I'm kind of raw.
See, I've been pissed off for at least 7 years, feeling sort of like a trapped rat, feeling like my parents didn't give a flying fuck about me. I live with a lot of people, many of them under the age of 10 and I want out. Badly. Unfortunately, I'm in no position to leave and stay gone,hence the trapped rat thing. My mother introduced a new point of view to me and I'm reeling.

Since I'm now up at an unholy hour for a weekend, I figured I could finally write up the dinner scene.

It will clear my head.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: NOT MINE. I DON'T HAVE THE PATIENCE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING AS AWESOME AS NCIS.

She came out in a beautiful black kimono with pink roses on it and spun around for him.

"Abby found it for me. What do you think?"

"I think I want to take it off and pin you to the mattress. You look hot as hell."

Ziva blushed but gave him a smile.

Even though she wasn't vain, it was nice to hear that Tony still found her desirable.

The pregnancy weight was coming on now and she had found some stretch marks on her thighs.
Knowing that soon she wouldn't be able to see her feet was disconcerting.

Still, it was worth the discomfort.

Her children were worth much more than being a size 6.

"Down boy." she teased.

He growled and buried his face in her neck, kissing her pulse point.

"Heel. Are they on their way?"

"Yeah. Your dad called and said that they were about 10 minutes away."

She nodded and sat down, her back hurting.

He really looked good.

A navy blue sweater and black jeans made him look relaxed but formal.

He came over and put an arm around her.

"It's going to be fine."

"I know. I know that it's just that..."

"...you don't want a repeat of the last family dinner."

She nodded and thought back to her ill fated encounter with Tony's father.
He had come in and sat down like he owned the place and had eyed her with disdain.

To her disgust, he had also eyed her with lust.

Eyes so much like Tony's had raked her over, making her feel dirty.
Fortunately, he had not tried to touch her.
He just nitpicked about everything, leading to the blow up.

"Well, your dad doesn't seem to be a heartless bastard."

"He's not. I just really want him to like you. After all, I'm the only child he has left and I don't wish to alienate him."

"I thought you had a brother."

She sighed. She had been dreading this conversation for a while.

However, if they were to be married, it had to come out.

Please understand, Tony. Don't push me away.

"I did. I had to kill him."

"Why?"

It comforted her that he didn't sound appalled.

He was curious and sad for her.

"He was going to kill Gibbs."

Immediately, he stiffened, making the connection.

"Ari was your brother?"

"Yes."

She didn't want to look at him.

Surely he was disgusted with her.

After a moment, he sighed and kissed her on her brow.

"Well, that doesn't change my opinion of you. I love you and you're not him.
I just wish you had told me a little earlier." he finally said, sending waves of relief and sadness through her.

"I didn't know how. How do you tell your best friend that your brother murdered the woman he loved? Nobody else knows but Gibbs and I would prefer it that way."

"You know I'll keep quiet."

Grateful, she kissed him and a knock at the door sounded.

"I'll get it."

She stood with a little leverage from his arm and went to the door, opening it.

Her aunt grinned and hugged her as she came in.

"Shalom, honey."

After her mother passed away, her sister had taken it upon herself to make sure her brother in law did right by them. Eli David was a good man but sometimes, he became so driven, his children fell by the wayside.

Nettie made sure that they were clean, educated, and happy.
She was the rock of the family, especially after Tali's murder.
Also, she had been the only one to support her decision to work for MOSSAD, overruling Ari and her father.

~*~

"This girl is as strong as the two of you combined. She has the backbone for it. Besides, her mind is made up and if she's anything like Ava, it won't be unmade.", she had told them firmly, stopping them from yelling at her any longer.
~*~

She looked like her, only around 30 years older and 2 inches shorter, putting her at 5'6.
Her hair was pure white and she had light wrinkles around her eyes.

As usual, she had on a simple floral print dress and black flats.
In her hands was a casserole dish of potato pancakes, her specialty.

"Hello, auntie. Where is dad?"

"Parking the car. I swear, he drives like he has to pee."

"So, that's where you get it from." Tony quipped.

"Shut it and come here. Auntie, this is Anthony DiNozzo.", Ziva introduced.

"Ah. You are the man that has stolen Zivalah's heart, yes?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Don't call me, ma'am. It makes me sound old. Nettie will be fine. Are you circumcised?"

"Yeah. Want to see?"

Her aunt smiled, pleased to have a verbal sparring partner.

"Perhaps later. It's been a while since I've been in the presence of a strapping young man such as yourself. I could use some excitement."

Ziva chuckled at that and turned to see her father come in.

At the age of 65, he barely looked a day over 40.

He was 6'3 and well muscled.

His black hair was shot through with silver and he looked severe in his usual suit and tie.

Then, he smiled, opening his arms.

Ziva ran over and hugged him tightly. He picked her up easily and she smiled.

"My sweet girl. It's good to see you."

"I've missed you, aba."

Eli stepped away and he shook Tony's hand.

"Young man, you do realize what a precious gem you've found, don't you?"

"Yeah. I still don't know what she wants with me. She's too good for me."

"You are not. Aba, Tony and I have to tell you something."

"You are with child.", Eli said bluntly.

Ziva just looked at him, shocked dumb.
Tony stepped back from him, using the kitchen counter as cover.

"Oh, don't look so surprised, Ziva. Your mother used to glow like that when she was pregnant. And judging by that rock on your hand, you are also engaged.", he explained with a half smile.

"And it's wonderful! I was so afraid you'd be a spinster!" Nettie added happily as she heated up the food they had cooked.

Tony's laughter broke through her shock and she smiled sheepishly before getting the ultrasound pictures from the nearby photo album.

"And that's why you lead MOSSAD. Tony, come out from behind the counter. He won't hurt you. Right?" she asked her father.

"I will only hurt him if he hurts you. A boy and a girl, yes?" Eli replied, entranced by the sight of his grandchildren.

"Yes, aba. "

"Dinner is ready." Nettie informed them.

As her family settled into conversation with Tony, she smiled, enjoying the sight of the sides of her life combining. No longer did she have to worry about keeping them separate. Tony accepted her fully.

She finally had peace in her life.